heatwave | Charles Leclerc | re-writing

Chapter 25

Monaco, January 2023 - Victoria Marino

It's the January 3rd and still haven't heard from Charles.

I'm currently in Monaco for a prize giving: The People Choice Awards.

This year, it will take place in Monaco due to the lack of schedule in LA and their theaters.

Jeremy helps me getting of the car right in front of the red carpet. My long black dress with golden details is flowing with the wind and I instantly feel the cold breeze coming through the street.

We get in the line of people that are in front of us. We gossip with eachother while we wait.

Jeremy bumps me with his arm and I look at the woman in front of me that was holding a paper with my name, pointing out that I'm next in the carpet.

I walk to its center and the photographers scream my name, asking me to do all the poses they request me to.

- Marino! - I hear a shout - Look at your left.

- Victoria! Lift your head a bit more.

- You look amazing, Victoria.

- Marino, look at the lense.

I follow all their requests and, when the carpet shooting ends, we get inside of the theater and find our table.

[...]

- And the winner of personality of the year is... - Zendaya says, opening the envelop - Victoria Marino!!

My jaw drops to the floor. This one was actually not on my plans.

I get up and Jeremy pulls me in for a hug and slaps my butt. I slowly look at him and he just mouths:

- It's for encouragement.

I slowly nod my head and I walk to the stage. Zendaya gives me a side hug.

- I'm so happy for you - she whispers - go get them.

I smile to her and I turn around, just to see the whole audience clapping to me. I get closer to the microphone and I take a deep breath.

- First of all, hi everyone! - I smile to the audience - It's lovely to be here tonight. I'm so honoured to recieve this award, expecially when I know that you at home, you guys were the ones who made this real. Ever since I figured out what I wanted to do for life, I worked hard everyday. The internet says that if we work hard, people will like us. Ironically, everything they said about me was that I was nothing more than an opportunist girl that had her perfect life. For the last decade, I have understood how women are picked out in society by their bodies and their looks, are critized and judged and nobody cares about what they really stand for. Being an apologist of the rights of the women in this unfair and sexist world is tiring and demanding. Knowing damn well that men and women still don't have equal rights it's something that nobody understands, unless you're one of those who are treated unevenly. So I'm taking this prize home with pride of standing up for us, women that know how powerfull they are. Thanks for accepting who I truly am and, for the fans, you guys are my longest and healthiest relationship I have ever had. - I wink to the camera as a standing ovation settles in.

Zendaya pairs up with me and we walk to the bastidors. She gives me another hug and I compliment her work, explaining her how big of a fan I am.

I walk back to the audience, Jeremy standing up and hugging me really tight.

- I'm really, really proud of you, babe.

- Thank you. I couldn't do this without you. - I say as we sit back in our chairs.